NFL players Nik Needham and Jaylinn Hawkins give back at annual Buena Park football camp

Nik Needham gives instructions at his annual youth football camp Saturday. (PHOTOS: Adam Kunin, For OC Sports Zone).

Back in the early 2010s, NFL players Nik Needham (Cleveland Browns) and Jaylinn Hawkins (New England Patriots) donned the silver and gray for Buena Park High School. More than a decade later, the longtime friends still continue to give back to their community. 

On Saturday afternoon, youngsters from across the Southern California community gathered at Buena Park High School for the fourth annual youth football camp hosted by Needham and Hawkins.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

More than 250 players attended the camp across the two sessions, with the first session being composed of third to eighth graders and the second session being comprised of high schoolers. The large turnout marked an improvement from previous years, as the camp continues to grow over time. 

“It was just a great day, Needham said. “Probably the best one yet.”

This was a big jump from last year. The next goal is to just outdo this year’s camp … But that was a pretty good one today, there’s not much I can do to top that.”

The campers competed in a series of individual drills, one-on-one repetitions and seven-on-seven situations, all while learning under the tutelage of various current and former NFL players who came out to help coach the camp.

Following each session, Needham, Hawkins and other players signed autographs, took pictures and handed out free merchandise to those in attendance.

Additionally, the event, which was free of charge, provided T-shirts, drinks and food to all campers. For Hawkins, keeping the event accessible to all was paramount. 

“It’s not about money,” Hawkins said. “It’s about kids coming out here and learning and getting the tools they need … to help them change or keep them on the right track,” Hawkins said. “I was once in their shoes and going to local camps with people who played in the NFL from the area. I just remember how much that stuck with me.”

With their largest group yet, Needham and Hawkins enjoyed watching young players from across the area compete against one another. They did their best to match the campers’ energy, even jumping in a bounce house with the players to celebrate a few interceptions in the seven-on-seven period – which Needham admitted was his favorite part of the day. 

“I lost my voice screaming all day,” Needham said. “The energy the kids brought today was a blast.”

Of course, the pair couldn’t put on the event alone. Many volunteers, former players and others helped organize and coach the camp. 

One of whom was Needham’s mother, Shannon, who played a major role in helping organize the day. She watched the two grow up together and remains proud of them for continuing to take an initiative in giving back to their community. 

“It warms my heart,” Shannon Needham said. “I’m so proud of these guys. They truly love giving back, and they love working with the youth, so it’s great to set a great example of what you can achieve when you just keep working hard.”

Video highlights

Check out interviews of Needham and Hawkins and highlights of Saturday’s camp by Adam Kunin on X (@ocportszone).